20 Sep Moult the Motherwell man

Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson has challenged Louis Moult to show Aberdeen what they are missing when they meet in Thursday’s Betfred Cup quarter-final.

Dons boss Derek McInnes spent most of the summer chasing Steelemen top-scorer Moult but saw two bids knocked back as Well chiefs dug their heels in over their £500,000 price tag.

Moult will come face-to-face with his suitors for the first time when they clash at Fir Park.

Now Robinson has urged his frontman – who has already announced he will not be renewing his deal when it expires next summer – to prove he is worth Motherwell’s valuation.

“I’d say to Louis, ‘Go and prove why they wanted you by scoring the winner and then they can regret not getting you’,” Robinson said.

“I think Louis has always been focused. I’ve got a very good relationship with him and his commitment to the club is not in question.

“And it will be that way for however long he is here. He will remain 100 per cent committed.

“If he signs a new contract then he will be committed further to Motherwell – if not then he will be playing for his future career and we know we’ll take advantage of that.

“When we bought him for £50,000 a couple of years ago, if someone had said he’d have scored 40-odd goals we’d have bitten their hand off. He’s been very good for this club and will continue doing so.”

It is 26 years since Motherwell last tasted a trophy win – they lifted the Scottish Cup in 1991 – but club chiefs have tasked Robinson with ending that wait.

“It was pointed out to me at the job interview that the cup success hasn’t been great over the years,” he said.

“But for a club like us, this competition gives us the chance to give the fans something to cheer about.

“It allows you to keep your season ticking over, because over the last few seasons all we’ve really had is the battle against relegation.

“So Thursday really is a big, big chance for us to progress and that would really lift the whole football club.

“Financially, getting to the Hampden would be huge and it’s also why a lot of these guys have come up here. We sold it to them that there is a chance to play at a good level in front of big crowds, live on television. At the moment, we’re keeping out part of the bargain.

“But we know what type of quality Aberdeen have got. They have signed a lot of good players over the summer and Derek has rebuilt the side well after losing Jonny Hayes and Niall McGinn.

“They have massive threat with a lot of pace and energy in their squad. We’re well aware it will be a tough night for us.”